Shoes make difference to kids in Zambia

TOOWOOMBA'S students are making a difference, creating a project that will give kids in Africa more opportunities.

Shoes for Zambia was started by Toowoomba Grammar School student Adrian Irwin a couple of years ago, having lived there for a number of years.

This year, Fairholme College student Libby Stumer decided to get on board, having travelled with Adrian to the southern African country earlier this year.

"He saw it as a way he could give back to Zambia, so he collects these football boots and he takes them back to a local school close to where he lived," Libby said.

"I became involved this year after I visited Zambia with him and I started collecting shoes from Fairholme for their (the school's) netball team."

Libby said it was a country which had a lot of poverty, which shocked her as she had not seen anything like it before.

"I think it is such a good cause. A pair of shoes holds so much value for these kids in Zambia," she said.

"It gives them a chance to play netball, soccer, any sport. They don't have internet, TV or board games and it gives them an opportunity to do something.

"It can be an escape for them from their lives. An hour of fun and happiness."

Libby said just this year Toowoomba Grammar had collected about 80 pairs of shoes while in just term two Fairholme had collected about 40. All of the shoes were taken by Adrian and his family to Zambia yesterday.

"I was so chuffed that people really got behind it and everyone put a lot into it. I know a lot of girls searched their house for shoes."

Libby encouraged more people in the community to get involved in the great cause.